*+Set+up+a+Google+and+Gmail+Account


 * Set up a Google/Gmail Account and get Firefox**

A Google Gmail account gives you access to many Google extras. A particularly helpful one is Google Docs which we will look at in **Week 3 - Working Together**. Google Docs allows you and your planning team to create and share documents, spreadsheets and presentations without emailing them to each other and ending up with multiple versions laying around over several computers and servers
 * STEP 1:**

It's also useful to have a Gmail account you can use when you sign up for some of the services we'll be exploring. Using an external email account not only keeps your school account uncluttered but also allows you to store all of your sign-up info (passwords, etc.) in one place. To make it easier to remember when creating a user name in the 5/6 team we've simply used our first names and placed mpcs in front i.e. mpcslee@gmail.com This link will take you to the Gmail sign up page: [|Gmail account]

Firefox is an //open source// Web browser. Open source means rather than being created by a single company it is not only free but also allows and encourages others to build upon it. This means the Firefox browser is being updated on a pretty regularly basis with many new and interesting features. Firefox's also has a stronger reputation for security with Mozilla (the original creators) addressing vulnerabilities soon after they're discovered. Many of the tools we will be exploring over following sessions also simply seem to just run more smoothly in Firefox. [|Get Firefox].
 * STEP 2:**

Finally, make sure you take the time to download and install the following plugins for Firefox. These will allow you to play the range of video and sound files now found on so many "Web 2.0" sites. While these are some of the most common and most popular plugins for more information about other plugins available for Mozilla-based Browsers, visit [|PluginDoc]

[|Adobe Reader]
For viewing and printing Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) [|**Download Now**]

[|Adobe Flash Player]
Adobe Flash Player is the universal rich client for delivering effective Adobe Flash experiences across desktops and devices. [|**Download Now**]

[|Java]
The Java Runtime Environment enables your computer to run applications and applets that use Java technology. [|**Download Now**]

[|QuickTime]
QuickTime Player is an easy-to-use application for playing, interacting with or viewing video, audio, VR or graphics files. [|**Download Now**]

[|Shockwave]
Shockwave Player displays Web content that has been created by Adobe Director. [|**Download Now**]

[|Windows Media Player]
Windows Media Player lets you play streaming audio, video, animations, and multimedia presentations on the web.